Method of and apparatus for stripping heat shrinkable material from a relatively rigid article

ABSTRACT

In stripping heat shrinkable sheathing material from an elongated metallic article, the material is scored along the length of the article. The article next is positioned in a nest defined by a pair of juxtaposed rollers and the material is heated so that it shrinks and separates along its scored portion. The rollers then are rotated to strip the material from the article and to discharge the material from the nest through the rollers, after which the stripped article is removed from the nest.

United States Patent Meal et al.

[451 May 16, 1972 [54] METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR STRIPPING HEATSHRINKABLE MATERIAL FROM A RELATIVELY RIGID ARTICLE [72] Inventors: JohnR. Meal, Naperville; Gregory H.

Smith, Wheaton, both of Ill.

Western Electric Company Incorporated, New York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Apr.21, 1970 [21] Appl.N0.: 30,474

[73] Assignee:

[52] 0.8. CI. ..29/427, 29/200 D, 81/951, 156/344, 156/584, 225/2,225/96.5 [51] Int. Cl ..B23p 19/02 [58] Field of Search ..29/426, 427,200 D; 81/951; 225/96.5, 96, 2; 156/344, 584

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 8/1920 Erb ..156/5842,636,408 4/1953 Mitchell ..156/344 X 2,722,145 11/1955 Schulenburg......225/96 X 2,951,403 9/1960 Bunch et al.... ,....8l/9.5l 3,364,8011/1968 Johnston ..81/951 3,448,509 6/1969 OReilly..... ..29/4033,462,052 8/1969 Wagner ..225/2 3,474,517 10/1969 Menne ..29/4273,486,216 12/1969 Cimolino 225/2 X Primary ExaminerCharlie T. MoonAttorney-H. J. Winegar, R. P. Miller and A. C. Schwarz [57] ABSTRACT Instripping heat shrinkable sheathing material from an elongated metallicarticle, the material is scored along the length of the article. Thearticle next is positioned in a nest defined by a pair of juxtaposedrollers and the material is heated so that it shrinks and separatesalong its scored portion. The rollers then are rotated to strip thematerial from the article and to discharge the material from the nestthrough the rollers, after which the stripped article is removed fromthe nest.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY 16 I972 SHEET 1 BF 3 G.H.SMITHATTORNEY METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR STRIPPING HEAT SHRINKABLE MATERIALFROM A RELATIVELY RIGID ARTICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field ofthe Invention This invention relates to a method of and apparatus forstripping heat shrinkable material from a relatively rigid article, andmore particularly to a method of and apparatus for stripping heatshrinkable plastic insulation from a metallic electrical connector.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the manufacture of a sheathedelectrical connector for connecting the ends of two electrical conductorwires together, a tubular metal insert having inwardly directed prongsfor piercing the insulation on the wires and establishing an electricalconnection therewith, is fixedly secured within an elongated metalshell. The metal shell then is received in a dielectric sleeve of amaterial which is preconditioned to shrink transversely of its length inresponse to the application of heat thereto, and the sleeved connectoris subjected to heat so that the sleeve shrinks into tight engagementwith the shell and forms a protective insulating sheath for theconnector.

While the majority of the sheathed connectors produced in this mannerare of good quality, some of them may have sheaths which are defectiveand which do not insulate their respective connectors properly. In otherinstances the sheaths may become damaged during subsequent handling.Rather than scrap these connectors it is common practice to strip thedefective sheaths from the metal shells and then resheath the shells,discarding only the sheath material.

In the past, various processes have been utilized for the removal of thedefective sheaths from the metal shells. For example, in one prior knownarrangement the sheathed electrical connectors are passed through anoven by means of a continuous conveyor, to cause splitting and curlingof the sheaths. Subsequently, the conveyor transports the connectorsthrough a stripping mechanism for removing the sheath material from themetal shells. This system is undesirable, however, because theconnectors frequently become jammed in the stripping mechanism, makingit necessary to stop the conveyor. Further, as a result some of theconnectors may remain in the oven for extended periods, causingoverheating and annealing of the metal inserts whereby their prongs losetheir hardness and are ineffective for piercing insulation when theconnector is subsequently used in establishing an electrical connectionbetween two insulated wires.

In another known prior art arrangement, each defective sheath is slittransversely at one end and a plurality of the sheathed connectors areplaced in an oven for a predetermined time period, such as one-halfhour, to cause the sheaths to split and to curl off of the connectors.The connectors then are placed in a vibrator to separate the sheathmaterial from the connectors. This arrangement is undesirable, however,since it has been found to be ineffective with certain types of plasticsheathing material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a newand improved method of and apparatus for stripping heat shrinkablematerial which extends peripherally about a relatively rigid article,from the article. 7

In accordance with the invention, in stripping heat shrinkable materialwhich extends peripherally about a relatively rigid article, from thearticle, the material first is scored for a substantial distance withrespect to one dimension thereof. The scored article then is positionedin a nest defined by peripheral surface portions of a pair of juxtaposedstripping rollers and subjected to heat to cause the material on thearticle to shrink and to separate along the scored portion of thearticle. The material and the article then are separated by rotating therollers so as to strip the material from the article and to dischargethe material from the nest through the rollers, after which the strippedarticle is removed from the nest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of apparatus inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 and showing the apparatus in a first operating position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 and showing theapparatus in a second operating position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 and showingthe apparatus in a third operating position;

FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view of the apparatus in its secondoperating position, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatustaken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is an isometric view, partially in cross section, showing asheathed electrical connector which may be stripped of its electricalinsulating sheath by the method and apparatus of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 8, it is seen that the inventionis disclosed as applied to the stripping of defective heat shrinkableplastic insulation 11 from an elongated metal shell 12 of an electricalconnector 13. The electrical connector 13 also includes a metal insert14 fixedly secured within the shell 12 and provided with inwardlydirected prongs 14a. The insulation 11 is in the form of a sleeve whichis heat shrunk onto the shell 12 to form a protective sheath, with theends of the sleeve projecting beyond the ends of the shell so that theshell is substantially encased in the sleeve. The sheathed connector 13is adapted to be telescoped over the ends of a pair of insulated wires(not shown), after which it is compressed by a special tool to cause theprongs 14a of the metal insert 14 to pierce the insulation on the wiresand to establish an electrical connection between the wires.

In general, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the disclosed apparatus includesa mechanism 16 for feeding the defective sheathed connectors 13longitudinally through a scoring mechanism 17 for scoring each of theplastic sheaths 11 along its length. From the scoring mechanism 17 thesheathed connectors 13 feed into a device 18 for receiving a pluralityof the connectors and subsequently transferring them into a sheathstripping device 19. After a plurality of the scored connectors 13 havebeen deposited in the sheath stripping device 19 they are subjected toheat by a heating unit 21 to cause the sheaths 11 to shrink and separatealong the scored portions of the sheaths. The stripping device 19 thenis operated to strip and separate the sheaths 1 1 from the connectorshells 12.

More specifically, the feeding mechanism 16 includes a vibratory feeder22 of a conventional type, which is bolted to a horizontal support table23 and which is actuated by a control switch 168 to feed the connectors13 in single file into a guideway 24. The guideway 24 is fixedly securedto a vertically disposed plate member 26 and is open along its top sothat feeding of the connectors 13 therethrough can be assisted by airjets 27 and so as to provide ready access to the connectors in theguideway in the event they become jammed therein. The vertical platemember 26 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured at one end to thevibratory feeder 22 and is fixedly connected adjacent its other end toan upstanding bracket on the support table 23.

As is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the scoring mechanism 17 includes apressure wheel 28 of a resilient material, such as rubber, and anopposed scoring wheel 29 having a peripheral cutting edge. The scoringwheel 29 is mounted for free rotation on the vertical plate member 26and extends upward through a slot in the guideway 24 into the path ofthe connectors 13. The pressure wheel 28, however, is power driven so asto advance the connectors 13 through it and the scoring wheel 29, and iskeyed to a shaft 31 connected by a gear and chain drive 32 to anelectric motor 33 suitably supported on the vertical plate member 26.

To insure scoring of the sheath 11 of each connector 13 along its entirelength, the pressure wheel 28 is movably mounted and spring biasedtoward the scoring wheel 29 in a suitable manner. For example, in theillustrated embodiment of the invention the drive shaft 31 for thepressure wheel 28 is journalled in a member 34 mounted for slidingmovement toward and away from the scoring wheel 29 on guide pins 36(FIG. 7) force fitted into the vertical plate member 26 and projectingtherefrom into elongated slots in the slide member 34. The slide member34 is biased toward the scoring wheel 29 by a coil spring 37 (FIG. 7)connected between the slide member and a projecting dowel pin on thevertical support plate 26, and the gear and chain drive 32 includes asuitable spring-biased slack takeup roller 38 (FIG. 2). Thus, as each ofthe sheathed connectors 13 passes between the pressure wheel 28 and thescoring wheel 29 the plastic sheath 11 of the connector is scored orscribed along its entire length by the scor ing wheel. In thisconnection, the biasing force exerted by the coil spring 37 should besuch that the pressure wheel 28 will not collapse the shell 12 and theinsert 14 of the connector 13, and preferably is such that the scoringwheel 29 does not cut completely through the sheath 11 so as to defacethe shell.

As is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the transfer device 18 includes anelongated rotatable magazine 39 joumalled in an elongated barrel member41. The magazine 39 is provided with a peripheral connector receivingslot 39a which extends the entire length thereof except for a portion atits left-hand end as viewed in FIG. 1, which portion functions as a stopfor the scored connectors 13 as they are fed into the slot from theguideway 24.

The barrel 41, which is substantially open along its top for viewing ofthe scored connectors 13 in the magazine slot 39a and for providingaccess to the connectors in case they become jammed therein, also isprovided with an elongated discharge slot 41a (FIGS. 3 and 4) which issubstantially coextensive withthe magazine slot 390, for the dischargeof the connectors 13 from the magazine 39 in a manner to be described.The barrel 41 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the upper endsof a pair of horizontally spaced support arms 42 which are secured to anelongated shaft 43 journalled adjacent its opposite ends in upstandingbrackets 44 on the support table 23. The transfer device 18 is pivotableabout the axis of the shaft 43 between a connector receiving position asshown in FIG. 3 and a connector discharge position as shown in FIG. 4,by an air cylinder 46 connected between an extension of one of thesupport arms 42 and an upstanding support wall 47 on the horizontalsupport table 23.

When the magazine 39 of the transfer device 18 has become 7 filled withscored connectors 13 from the guideway 24, the

switch button 168 is released to turn off the vibratory feeder 22 andthe pressure wheel drive motor 33. The air cylinder 46 is then energizedby means of a suitable dual button safety switch 188 (FIGS. 1 and 2) inwhich the operator is required to use both hands to actuate the circuit,to pivot the transfer device 18 counterclockwise from its connectorreceiving position in FIGv 3 to its connector discharge position in FIG.4. During the initial movement of the transfer device 18, a stopassembly 48 FIGS. 1 and 4), which is slidably mounted on the guideway 24and held in an inoperative position by a projecting lug 41b (FIG. 1) onthe barrel 41 when the transfer device is in its connector receivingposition, is advanced by a coil spring 49 (FIG. 4) against the leadingconnector 13 in the guideway to preclude advancement of the connectorstherein. Subsequently, as the transfer device 18 approaches itsdischarge position the magazine 39 is rotated in the barrel 41 so as todischarge the connectors 13 in the magazine slot 39a through the barreldischarge slot 41a and into a nest 51 defined by adjacent surfaceportions of a pair of juxtaposed stripping rollers 52 of the sheathstripping device 19. Movement of the transfer device 18 into itsconnector discharge position in FIG. 4 is limited by surface portions ofthe barrel lug 41b engaging upper surface portions of the strippingrollcrs 52, as shown in that figure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, it is seen that in the illustratedembodiment of the invention rotation of the magazine 39 in the barrel 41for a connector discharge operation is accomplished by a mechanismincluding a rotatable cam follower 53 mounted on a lever member 54 whichis secured to a shaft extension on one end of the magazine. When thetransfer device 18 is in its connector receiving position as shown indashed lines in FIG. 6, the cam follower 53 is seated in a slot 44a inthe adjacent bracket 44 to retain the magazine 39 in proper position. Asthe transfer device 18 approaches its connectordischarge position asshown in solid lines in FIG. 6, the cam follower 53 engages a suitablecamming surface of an adjustably mounted cam block 56. As the transfer.device 18 continues to pivot, the cam follower 53 rides down thecamming surface of the cam block 56 until it comes into engagement witha portion 52a of one of the stripping rollers 52, which portion isundercut for a purpose to be described. Thus, as the transfer device 18pivots into its discharge position, the cam follower 53, through itssupport lever 54, causes the magazine 39 to rotate in the barrel 41 sothat the connectors 13 in the magazine slot 39a drop through the barreldischarge slot 410 into the nest 51 defined by the stripping rollers 52.When the transfer device 18 is returned to its article receivingposition, the magazine 39 is rotated back to its original position bythe cam follower 53 engaging a portion 44b of the adjacent bracket 44.

As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the heating unit 21 includes anelongated housing 57 in which a reflector 58 and a radiant heat lamp 59are mounted in a suitable manner. The housing 57 is secured to a pair ofsupport arms 61 which project therefrom and which are pivoted on thevertical support wall 47. Thus, the heating unit 21 is capable ofpivotal movement between an upper position as shown in FIG. 3 and alower position over the stripping rollers 52 as shown in FIG. 5, inwhich it heats the scored connectors 13 in the nest 51 to cause thesheaths 11 to shrink and separate along the scored portions thereof. Theheating unit 21 is pivoted between its two positions by an air cylinder62 connected between one of the support arms 61 and the vertical supportwall 47.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, during initial warmup of the apparatus andduring its subsequent operation, whether or not the temperature in thenest 51 is sufficient (such as 300 to 400 F) to insure proper heating ofthe sheaths 11 is determined by a temperature sensing device 63 of asuitable type mounted on the horizontal support table 23 and including asensing element 63a (FIG. 3) engaged with one of the stripping rollers52, the sensing device being connected toa suitable indicator (notshown). Further, overheating of the heating unit 21 is prevented bycontinuously introducing relatively cool pressurized air into oppositesides of the housing 57 through air lines 66 (FIG. 1) adjacent one endthereof, thereby continuously purging the interior of the housing of hotair through vents 67 (FIGS. 3 and 5) adjacent its other end. Similarly,when the heating unit 21 is moved into its heating position shown inFIG. 5, a solenoid controlled valve 68 is energized to permit relativelycool pressurized air to be directed against the radiant heat lamp 59through an air line 69, a longitudinally extending passageway 57a withinthe housing 57 and a longitudinally extending slot 58a in the heatreflector 58. In addition to cooling the radiant heat lamp 59, this aircauses fumes which may be generated by the heating of the sheaths 11 andwhich could tarnish the heat reflector 58, to be purged from beneath thereflector and to the exterior of the housing 57.

The stripping rollers 52 of the stripping device 19 are journalledadjacent their opposite ends in support members 71 a right hand one ofwhich, as viewed in FIG. 1, is in the form of a gear housing mounted onthe vertical support wall 47, and a left hand one of which, as viewed inFIG. 1, is in the form of an upstanding plate member secured to thehorizontal support table 23. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the upstandingplate member 71 also serves as a support for the cam block 56, the camblock being adjustably mounted on the plate member for horizontalmovement by means of suitable screws extending through slots in the camblock. Further, as is best shown in FIG. 1, to facilitate the strippingof the sheaths 11 from the metal shells 12, the rollers 52 are providedwith narrow spiral grooves 52b.

During a stripping operation the rollers 52 are rotated so that theirupper peripheral surface portions adjacent the nest 51 move toward oneanother as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5, to strip the heatedsheaths 11 from the metal shells 12 and to discharge the sheath materialbetween the rollers and into a suitable receptacle 72. In thisconnection, the spacing between the rollers 52 is such that the strippedmaterial 11 can pass downward between the rollers from the nest 51, butsuch that the shells 12 cannot pass between the rollers and thereforewill remain in the nest. As the rollers 52 rotate, the stripped sheathmaterial 11 is cleaned therefrom by scraping bars 73 mounted at theiropposite ends on the support members 71. In the illustrated embodimentof the invention, the rotation of the rollers 52 is accomplished by anelectric motor 74 (FIG. 1) which is connected to one of the rollersthrough a speed reducer 76 and a gear and chain drive 77, the firstroller in turn driving the second roller by means of a pair of meshinggears 78 mounted on the rollers in the gear housing type support member71.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, it is seen that the portions 52a of thestripping rollers 52 are undercut to provide a discharge openingtherebetween. Thus, the stripped shells 12 can be pushed longitudinallyin the nest 51 with a suitable tool after the stripping operation hasbeen completed, and drop through the space between the undercut portions52a and through a guide tube into a suitable container 79.

When the transfer device 18 reaches its connector discharge position inFIG. 4, a projecting arm 81, which is fixedly mounted on one of thesupport arms 42, actuates a limit switch 82 on the support table 23 tocause reversal of the air cylinder 46 and the return of the transferdevice to its article receiving position in FIG. 3. As the transferdevice 18 reaches its article receiving position, a second projectingarm 83, which is clamped to the pivot shaft 43, actuates a second limitswitch 84 on the support table 23 to energize the air cylinder 62, whichthen pivots the heating unit 21 into its position over the nest 51 asshown in FIG. 5. As the heating unit 21 reaches its heating position oneof its support arms 61 operates a limit switch 86 on the verticalsupport wall 47 to turn on the radiant heat lamp 59, to actuate thecooling air control valve 68 and to start a timer 87 (FIGS. 1 and 2)mounted on the front of the support wall. After a predetermined heatinginterval, which has been determined to be sufiicient to cause shrinkageand splitting of the sheaths 11 along their scored portions (such asseconds), the timer 87 causes energization of the drive motor 74 for thestripping rollers 52 and starts a second timer 88 (FIGS. 1 and 2) on thefront of the support wall 47. After a second predetermined timeinterval, which has been determined to be sufficient to strip thesheaths 11 from the metal shells 12 (such as 10 seconds), the secondtimer 88 actuates suitable circuitry to turn off the heat lamp 59, todeactuate the cooling air control valve 68, to deenergize the strippingroller drive motor 74 and to cause reversal of the air cylinder 62,which then moves the heating unit 21 back to its original position.

SUMMARY Summarizing, with the apparatus in its position as shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the switch button 16S is depressed to energize thevibratory feeder 22 of the feed mechanism 16 and the drive motor 33 ofthe scoring mechanism 17. The vibratory feeder 22 then feeds thesheathed connectors 13 into the guideway 24, while the drive motor 33,through the gear and chain drive 32, rotates the shaft 31 to drive thepressure wheel 28 mounted thereon. The connectors 13 travel along theguideway 24 and through the scoring mechanism 17 into the transferdevice 18, with their passage through the guideway being assisted by theair jets 27 and with each connector being positively advanced throughthe scoring mechanism by the power driven pressure wheel 28. As each ofthe connectors 13 passes through the scoring mechanism 17, since thepressure wheel 28 is being continuously urged toward the scoring wheel29 as a result of its being mounted on the spring biased slide member34, the scoring wheel scores the sheath ll of the connector along itsentire length.

When the magazine slot 39a of the transfer device 18 has become filledwith the scored connectors 13 the switch 168 is released to deenergizethe vibratory feeder 22 and the pressure wheel drive motor 33. Then,assuming that the temperature in the nest 51, as determined by thetemperature sensing device 63, is sufficient to insure proper heating ofthe sheaths 11, the dual button switch 188 is operated to actuate theair cylinder 46 (FIG. 3), which pivots the transfer device 18counterclockwise in FIG. 3 into its connector discharge position overthe nest 51 of the stripping device 19, as shown in FIG. 4. As thetransfer device 18 begins this pivotal movement the lug 41b on itsbarrel 41 disengages from the slidably mounted stop assembly 48 andpermits the spring 49 to move the stop assembly into engagement with theleading connector 13 in the guideway 24, to preclude advancement of theconnectors in the guideway.

Referring to FIG. 6, as the transfer device 18 approaches its connectordischarge position as shown in solid lines in this figure, the camfollower 53 carried by the magazine 39 engages the camming surface ofthe cam block 56. As the transfer device 18 continues to pivot the camfollower 53 rides down the camming surface of the cam block 56 and,through its supporting lever 54, causes counterclockwise rotation (asviewed in FIG. 6) of the magazine 39 in the barrel 41. Subsequently,downward movement of the cam follower 53 is limited by its coming intoengagement with the undercut portion 52a of the adjacent sheathstripping roller 52. Thus, as the transfer device moves into itsdischarge position the magazine 39 is rotated in the barrel 41 todischarge the connectors 13 in the magazine slot 390 into the nest 51defined by the stripping rollers 52.

Referring to FIG. 4, as the transfer device 18 reaches its connectordischarge position, its actuating arm 81 operates the limit switch 82 tocause reversal of the air cylinder 46 whereby the transfer device ispivoted back to its connector receiving position in FIG. 3. Referring toFIG. 6, as the transfer device 18 approaches its article receivingposition the cam follower 53 on the magazine 39 engages the portion 44bof the adjacent bracket 44 to cause rotation of the magazine back intoits original position in the barrel 41. Subsequently, the cam follower53 rides into the bracket slot 440 to lock the magazine 39 in itsoriginal position in the barrel 41 whereby the magazine slot 39a againis aligned with the guideway 24 for the reception of connectors 13therefrom. The switch 168 now may be actuated to feed a new set of thesheathed connectors 13 into the magazine slot 39a, as above described.

As the transfer device 18 reaches its connector receiving position inFIG. 3, its actuating arm 83 operates the limit switch 84 to causeenergization of the air cylinder 62, which then pivots the heating unit21 clockwise in FIG. 3 into its position over the nest 51 as shown inFIG. 5. As the heating unit 21 reaches its heating position in FIG. 5one of its support arms 61 operates the limit switch 86 to turn on theradiant heat lamp 59, to actuate its associated cooling air controlvalve 68 and to start the timer 87 (FIG. 1). The scored connectors 13 inthe nest 51 then are subjected to radiant heat from the heating unit 21to cause the sheaths 11 of the connectors to shrink and separate alongthe scored portions thereof.

Overheating of the heating unit 21 during the heating of the connectors13 in the nest 51 is precluded by the relatively cool air which is beingcontinuously introduced into the interior of the housing 57 through theair lines 66 adjacent the housings right hand end, as viewed in FIG. 1,and which causes hot air to be purged continuously from the housingthrough the vents 67 (FIGS. 3 and 5) adjacent its opposite end.Similarly, the radiant heat lamp 59 is cooled and fumes which aregenerated as a result of the heating of the plastic sheaths 11 arepurged from beneath the heat reflector 58, by air through the valve 68,air line 69, housing passageway 57a and reflector slot 58a.

When the timer 87 times out, it causes energization of the strippingdevice drive motor 74 and causes energization of the second timer 88(FIG. 1). The drive motor 74, through the speed reducer 76, the gear andchain drive 77 and the meshing gears 78 on the spirally groovedstripping rollers 52, then causes the stripping rollers to rotate inopposite directions as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5. The rotatingrollers 52 then strip the sheaths 11 from the metal shells 12, with thestripped material passing through the rollers into the receptacle 72,and with any sheath material which adheres to the rollers being scrapedtherefrom by the scraping bars 73. The metal shells 12, however, beingtoo large to pass between the rollers 52, remain in the nest 51.Subsequently, the second timer 88 times out to turn ofi the radiant heatlamp 59, to deactuate the cooling air control valve 68, to causereversal of the air cylinder 62, which returns the heating unit 21 toits position shown in FIG. 3, and to cause deenergization of thestripping device drive motor 74.

The metal shells 12 in the nest 51 next are pushed by a suitable handtool along the nest to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2, to the dischargeopening provided by the undercut portions 52a of the stripping rollers52, where they drop into the receptacle 79 (FIG. 6). The switch 188 thenis operated to cause the transfer device 18 to deposit the new set ofthe connectors 13 which have been fed into the magazine 39, in the nest51, whereupon the above described heating and sheath strippingoperations are repeated.

What is claimed is:

l.- The method of stripping heat shrinkable material which extendsperipherally about a relatively rigid article, from the article, whichcomprises:

scoring the heat shrinkable material for a substantial distance withrespect to one dimension thereof; positioning the scored article in anest defined by peripheral surface portions of a pair of juxtaposedstripping rollers; heating the scored heat shrinkable material after thearticle has been positioned in the nest so as to cause the material toshrink and to separate along the scored portion of the material;

separating the material and the article by rotating the strippingrollers so that peripheral surface portions of the rollers adjacent thenest move toward one another to strip the heated material from thearticle and to discharge the material from the nest through the rollers;and

removing the stripped article from the nest.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, in which the article is relativelyelongated and in which:

the heat shrinkable material is scored lengthwise of the article as thearticle is being fed longitudinally.

3. Apparatus for stripping heat shrinkable material which extendsperipherally about an elongated relatively rigid article, from thearticle, which comprises:

means'for feeding the elongated article longitudinally;

means for scoring the heat shrinkable material lengthwise of the articleas the article is being fed longitudinally;

a pair of juxtaposed stripping rollers having peripheral surfaceportions which define a nest for receiving the scored article, thespacing between said rollers being such that heat shrinkable materialwhich is stripped from the article can pass therethrough, but such thatthe article cannot pass therethrough;

means for feeding the scored article from said scoring means to the nestdefined by said stripping rollers;

radiant heat means for heating the scored heat shrinkable material afterthe article has been fed to the nest defined by said stripping rollers,such that the material shrinks and separates along the scored portion ofthe material; and

means for rotating the stripping rollers so that peripheral surfaceportions of the rollers adjacent the nest move toward one another tostrip the heated material from the article and to discharge the materialfrom the nest through the rollers, thereby separating the material andthe article.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, in which:

said scoring means includes a rotatable support wheel and an opposedscoring wheel having a peripheral cutting edge. 5. Apparatus as recitedin claim 3, which further comprises: a rotatable magazine member havinga peripheral longitudinally extending slot for receiving a plurality ofthe scored articles therein from said scoring means; means for movingsaid magazine member from an article receiving position to an articledischarge position over the nest defined by said stripping rollers; and

means for rotating said magazine member to effect discharge of thescored articles from the slot in said magazine member into the nestdefined by said stripping rollers.

6. Apparatus for stripping heat shrinkable material which extendsperipherally about a relatively rigid article, from the article, whichcomprises:

means for scoring the heat shrinkable material on the article for asubstantial distance with respect to one dimension of the material;

juxtaposed rotatable stripping means having peripheral surface portionswhich define a nest for receiving and supporting the scored article;

means for positioning the scored article in the nest defined by saidjuxtaposed rotatable stripping means;

means for heating the scored heat shrinkable material after the articlehas been positioned in the nest defined by said juxtaposed rotatablestripping means, such that the material shrinks and separates along thescored portion of the material; and

means for rotating said juxtaposed rotatable stripping means so thatperipheral surface. portions of said rotatable stripping means adjacentthe nest move toward one another to strip the heated material from thearticle and to discharge the material from the nest through saidrotatable stripping means, thereby separating the material and thearticle.

1. The method of stripping heat shrinkable material which extendsperipherally about a relatively rigid article, from the article, whichcomprises: scoring the heat shrinkable material for a substantialdistance with respect to one dimension thereof; positioning the scoredarticle in a nest defined by peripheral surface portions of a pair ofjuxtaposed stripping rollers; heating the scored heat shrinkablematerial after the article has been positioned in the nest so as tocause the material to shrink and to separate along the scored portion ofthe material; separating the material and the article by rotating thestripping rollers so that peripheral surface portions of the rollersadjacent the nest move toward one another to strip the heated materialfrom the article and to discharge the material from the nest through therollers; and removing the stripped article from the nest.
 2. The methodas recited in claim 1, in which the article is relatively elongated andin which: the heat shrinkable material is scored lengthwise of thearticle as the article is being fed longitudinally.
 3. Apparatus forstripping heat shrinkable material which extends peripherally about anelongated relatively rigid article, from the article, which comprises:means for feeding the elongated article longitudinally; means forscoring the heat shrinkable material lengthwise of the article as thearticle is being fed longitudinally; a pair of juxtaposed strippingrollers having peripheral surface portions which define a nest forreceiving the scored article, the spacing between said rollers beingsuch that heat shrinkable material which is stripped from the articlecan pass therethrough, but such that the article cannot passtherethrough; means for feeding the scored article from said scoringmeans to the nest defined by said stripping rollers; radiant heat meansfor heating the scored heat shrinkable material after the article hasbeen fed to the nest defined by said stripping rollers, such that thematerial shrinks and separates along the scored portion of the material;and means for rotating the stripping rollers so that peripheral surfaceportions of the rollers adjacent the nest move toward one another tostrip the heated material from the article and to discharge the materialfrom the nest through the rollers, thereby separating the material andthe article.
 4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, in which: said scoringmeans includes a rotatable support wheel and an opposed scoring wheelhaving a peripheral cutting edge.
 5. Apparatus as recited in claim 3,which further comprises: a rotatable magazine member having a peripherallongitudinally extending slot for receiving a plurality of the scoredarticles therein from said scoring means; means for moving said magazinemember from an article receiving position to an article dischargeposition over the nest defined by said stripping rollers; and means forrotating said magazine member to effect discharge of the scored articlesfrom the slot in said magazine member into the nest defined by saidstripping rollers.
 6. Apparatus for stripping heat shrinkable materialwhiCh extends peripherally about a relatively rigid article, from thearticle, which comprises: means for scoring the heat shrinkable materialon the article for a substantial distance with respect to one dimensionof the material; juxtaposed rotatable stripping means having peripheralsurface portions which define a nest for receiving and supporting thescored article; means for positioning the scored article in the nestdefined by said juxtaposed rotatable stripping means; means for heatingthe scored heat shrinkable material after the article has beenpositioned in the nest defined by said juxtaposed rotatable strippingmeans, such that the material shrinks and separates along the scoredportion of the material; and means for rotating said juxtaposedrotatable stripping means so that peripheral surface portions of saidrotatable stripping means adjacent the nest move toward one another tostrip the heated material from the article and to discharge the materialfrom the nest through said rotatable stripping means, thereby separatingthe material and the article.